So, you’re looking to find out who won the Masters tournament today. It’s a fair question. Usually, by the time the golf world starts buzzing, someone is slipping on a green jacket and we're all crying over a montage of azaleas.
But here is the thing.
Nobody won the Masters today. It's January 16, 2026. If you look outside (depending on where you live), there’s probably more snow on the ground than manicured bentgrass. The Masters doesn't happen in the winter. It’s a spring tradition. Specifically, the 2026 Masters Tournament is scheduled to kick off on April 9, 2026.
If you’re seeing "Masters" headlines right now, you’re likely seeing news from the 2026 Snooker Masters over at Alexandra Palace in London. It's a totally different sport, but the name always trips people up this time of year. In that tournament, veteran John Higgins just pulled off a wild comeback against Zhao Xintong.
But if you’re here for golf, the person you’re actually thinking of—the reigning champion—is Rory McIlroy.
Rory McIlroy: The Man Who Finally Conquered Augusta
Rory won the 2025 Masters. That’s the most recent one in the books.
It was a big deal. Huge. Basically, the kind of sports story they make documentaries about ten years later. For over a decade, the "Career Grand Slam" was the weight around Rory’s neck. He had the U.S. Open. He had the Open Championship. He had the PGA. But Augusta National always found a way to break his heart.
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Then came April 13, 2025.
McIlroy didn't just win; he survived. He went into a sudden-death playoff against Justin Rose. If you remember the 2017 Masters where Rose lost to Sergio Garcia, this felt like a weird bit of deja vu. Both guys finished at 11-under par.
Rose was vintage. He led for the first two rounds. Rory, meanwhile, was doing Rory things—which is to say, he was making it as difficult as humanly possible for himself. He actually double-bogeyed the first hole of the final round. Can you imagine the stress? You wait ten years for this moment and you start with a double.
How the Final Round Went Down
Rory stabilized with birdies on 3, 4, 9, and 10. He looked like he was cruising. Then, the wheels sort of wobbled. He found the water on 13. Double bogey. Suddenly, he was trailing Rose.
The shot that everyone still talks about happened on the par-5 15th. Rory was in the trees. He had 208 yards to the hole. Most players would punch out and try to save par. Rory hit a massive, sweeping hook that somehow found the green and settled 6 feet from the pin. He made birdie, regained the lead, and eventually forced the playoff after a bogey on 18.
In the playoff, Rory stuck a wedge to 3 feet on the 18th hole. Rose missed his 15-footer. Rory tapped in, fell to the ground, and finally joined the most exclusive club in golf.
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The 6 Men With a Career Grand Slam
By winning last April, Rory became only the sixth man in history to win all four modern majors. It’s a list that feels more like a Mount Rushmore than a leaderboard:
- Gene Sarazen
- Ben Hogan
- Gary Player
- Jack Nicklaus
- Tiger Woods
- Rory McIlroy
Honestly, seeing Rory’s name there feels right, but it took a long time to get there. He’s the first European to ever do it. That’s a stat that usually surprises people because of how many great European players have come through Augusta.
What Happened to the Other Favorites?
You might be wondering where everyone else was while Rory and Rose were duking it out.
Scottie Scheffler, the world number one at the time, finished 4th. He was lurking all weekend but just couldn't get the putter hot enough on Sunday. Patrick Reed took 3rd place, finishing at 9-under. Bryson DeChambeau was right there too, but a 75 on Sunday—his worst round of the week—blew his chances.
There was also a bit of a "passing of the torch" moment. Bernhard Langer, a two-time winner, played his final Masters in 2025. He missed the cut, but the ovation he got on the 18th hole on Friday was enough to give anyone chills.
Looking Ahead: The 2026 Masters
Since it’s January, the countdown to the next tournament is officially on. The 90th Masters will run from April 9 to April 12, 2026.
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If you’re planning on going or just want to follow along, here is the basic timeline for Masters week:
- Monday & Tuesday (April 6-7): Practice rounds. This is when the players are loose, skipping balls across the water on 16.
- Wednesday (April 8): The Par 3 Contest. It’s the most wholesome day in sports. Players have their kids or wives caddie for them in tiny white jumpsuits.
- Thursday (April 9): The Honorary Starters (usually Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, and Tom Watson) tee off at 8:00 AM, and the real stress begins.
- Sunday (April 12): The final round and the Green Jacket ceremony.
Who is the Favorite for 2026?
It’s early, but the odds are already shifting. Rory is obviously a favorite because he finally broke the seal. He doesn't have the "Grand Slam" pressure anymore, which makes him dangerous.
Scheffler is always the man to beat. His ball-striking is so consistent that he’s basically guaranteed a top-10 finish unless his putter completely disappears. You also have to look at Ludvig Åberg. He finished 7th in 2025 and 2nd in 2024. The kid is built for Augusta.
Actionable Next Steps for Golf Fans
If you're trying to stay on top of the 2026 tournament, don't wait until April to get your house in order.
- Check the Ticket Lottery: If you haven't applied for 2027 yet, keep an eye on the official Masters website. The window usually opens in June.
- Book Accommodations Now: If you are actually planning to go to Augusta in April, you are already late. Hotels within 50 miles of the course hike their prices by 400% during Masters week. Look at rentals in Columbia, SC, or Greensboro, GA, for slightly better deals.
- Follow the Snooker Masters: Since that is what is actually happening today, you can catch the semi-finals on BBC or various sports streaming platforms. John Higgins is playing some of the best snooker of his life at age 50.
The Masters is about patience. Whether you're Rory McIlroy waiting ten years for a jacket or a fan waiting through a long January, the wait is usually worth it.
Mark your calendar for April 9. That’s when the real "today" happens for golf fans. Until then, we just have to settle for the replays and the snooker highlights.